As the years go by, many things change at Woodberry. But others stay the same: the beautiful campus, a devoted triple-threat faculty, the foundation of the honor system, and 100 percent Amici Fund participation from the solicitable members of the class of 1951. Led by class volunteers Charlie Bourland, Ned Hardison, Frank Mountcastle, and Dick Taliaferro, the class of 1951 reached full participation for the third year in a row.
While at Woodberry, the class of 1951 led the football team in one of the most famous contests in the history of The Game. In 1950, the two teams entered the fiftieth Game tied in the series. When the hard-fought game finished, the series remained tied. Woodberry trailed at halftime 13–0. Team Captain Ned Hardison successfully urged Assistant Coach Blair Gammon ’44 to convince legendary Woodberry Head Coach Leonard Dick to run a special trick play to start the second half. That play resulted in a touchdown by Charlie Bourland, the fastest player on the team, and turned the game around.
Members of the class of 1951 have always exhibited the traits of that football team: hard work, creativity, leadership, a never-give-up attitude, exemplary sportsmanship, and devotion to Woodberry. They were leaders while at Woodberry and have distinguished themselves since graduation in their communities and churches and through their military service and leadership in business, finance, medicine, law, academia, and the nonprofit world. Their exemplary leadership as Woodberry alumni includes supporting the school financially, serving on the board of trustees and as class volunteers, and sending their sons and grandsons to Woodberry.
The last of these grandsons, Frank Bossong ’24, grandson of Ellen and Ned Hardison, graduated in May. The Hardisons were proud to attend the ceremony and noted that as parents and grandparents of eight alumni, they have an abundance of Woodberry graduation memories.